Single-use food preparation container assemblies, systems and methods

Abstract

A single-use product preparation container assembly including a cup body and a cup closure assembly configured for removable operative engagement with the cup body, the cup closure assembly including a mechanically externally rotatably drivable rotary product engagement assembly for engaging an at least partially liquefiable product located within the cup body and a liquid retaining chamber configured to receive liquid leaked from the cup body via the mechanically externally rotatably drivable rotary product engagement assembly and including a vent allowing egress of air from the liquid retaining chamber.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A single-use product preparation container assembly comprising:
 a cup body; and 
 a cup closure assembly configured for removable operative engagement with said cup body, said cup closure assembly comprising:
 a mechanically externally rotatably drivable rotary product engagement assembly for engaging an at least partially liquefiable product located within said cup body; and 
 a liquid retaining chamber configured to receive liquid leaked from said cup body via said mechanically externally rotatably drivable rotary product engagement assembly and comprising a vent allowing egress of air from said liquid retaining chamber. 
 
 
     
     
       2. A single-use product preparation container assembly according to  claim 1  and wherein:
 said liquid retaining chamber comprises at least one circumferential protrusion; and 
 said vent is integrally formed with said circumferential protrusion and comprises a notch having a height less than the height of said circumferential protrusion. 
 
     
     
       3. A single-use product preparation container assembly according to  claim 2  and wherein:
 said liquid retaining chamber also comprises at least a second circumferential protrusion which defines a maximum height of liquid to be retained within said liquid retaining chamber; and 
 said vent allows egress of liquid located above said maximum height from said liquid retaining chamber. 
 
     
     
       4. A single-use product preparation container assembly according to  claim 3  and wherein said mechanically externally rotatably drivable rotary product engagement assembly comprises a recess having an annular edge which is higher than said height of said second circumferential protrusion when said single-use product preparation container assembly is in an upside-down processing orientation, thus preventing liquid egress out of said cup closure assembly via said mechanically externally rotatably drivable rotary product engagement assembly. 
     
     
       5. A single-use product preparation container assembly according to  claim 4  and also comprising a pivotable door and wherein said vent is located at an azimuthal region of said first protrusion which is furthest from said pivotable door and is operative to direct said liquid located above said maximum height away from possible flow paths which lead out of said cup closure assembly. 
     
     
       6. A single-use product preparation container assembly according to  claim 3  and also comprising a pivotable door and wherein said vent is located at an azimuthal region of said first protrusion which is furthest from said pivotable door and is operative to direct said liquid located above said maximum height away from possible flow paths which lead out of said cup closure assembly. 
     
     
       7. A single-use product preparation container assembly comprising:
 a cup body; and 
 a cup closure assembly configured for removable operative engagement with said cup body, and having a sealable opening, said cup closure assembly comprising:
 a mechanically externally rotatably drivable rotary product engagement assembly for engaging an at least partially liquefiable product located within said cup body: 
 a liquid retaining chamber configured to receive liquid leaked from said cup body via said mechanically externally rotatably drivable rotary product engagement assembly and comprising a vent allowing egress of air from said liquid retaining chamber: 
 a pivotable door arranged for selectable sealing of said sealing opening, said pivotable door having a fully open operative orientation and a sealed operative orientation, sealing said opening; and 
 a snap-fit engager for snap-fit engagement of said pivotable door in said fully open operative orientation. 
 
 
     
     
       8. A single-use product preparation container assembly according to  claim 7  and wherein:
 said liquid retaining chamber comprises at least one circumferential protrusion; and 
 said vent is integrally formed with said circumferential protrusion and comprises a notch having a height less than the height of said circumferential protrusion. 
 
     
     
       9. A single-use product preparation container assembly according to  claim 8  and wherein:
 said liquid retaining chamber also comprises at least a second circumferential protrusion which defines a maximum height of liquid to be retained within said liquid retaining chamber; and 
 said vent allows egress of liquid located above said maximum height from said liquid retaining chamber. 
 
     
     
       10. A single-use product preparation container assembly according to  claim 9  and wherein said mechanically externally rotatably drivable rotary product engagement assembly comprises a recess having an annular edge which is higher than said height of said second circumferential protrusion when said single-use product preparation container assembly is in an upside-down processing orientation, thus preventing liquid egress out of said cup closure assembly via said mechanically externally rotatably drivable rotary product engagement assembly. 
     
     
       11. A single-use product preparation container assembly according to  claim 9  and wherein said vent is located at an azimuthal region of said first protrusion which is furthest from said pivotable door and is operative to direct said liquid located above said maximum height away from possible flow paths which lead out of said cup closure assembly. 
     
     
       12. A single-use product preparation container assembly according to  claim 7  and wherein said snap-fit engagement between said snap-fit engager and said pivotable door is a repeatably disengageable and reengageable snap-fit engagement. 
     
     
       13. A single-use product preparation container assembly according to  claim 7  and wherein said snap-fit engager comprises a protrusion integrally formed with said cup closure assembly. 
     
     
       14. A single-use product preparation container assembly according to  claim 7  and also comprising hinges integrally formed with said pivotable door and operative to assume a straightened orientation while said pivotable door passes over said snap-fit engager.